The hands-free driving method may soon be implemented in the United Kingdom by the upcoming spring. This is what the country's Department of Transport (DfT) announced on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Most driver groups in the UK claim that this type of technology cuts massive cases of road accidents. Is it safe?
Hands-free driving: Is it safe?
Hands-free driving has been one of the most controversial but innovative car technology. In the U.K., the BBC reported that there's a huge possibility that this technology will be legalized in the country by spring.
Technically, hands-free driving is just like the name suggests. Drivers have an option to drive the vehicle without using their hands on the steering wheel. However, the driver must be alert to take back the wheel once the tech requires it.
As explained, this device will be helping most drivers in the British nations. Most especially to those drivers that needed to have a long drive, and must rest for a while.
"Automated technology could make driving safer, smoother and easier for motorists and the U.K. should be the first country to see these benefits, attracting manufacturers to develop and test new technologies," said Rachel Maclean, transport minister.
In the U.K., it is called Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS). ALKS technology has already been approved by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The U.K. is a member of this group.
The U.K. approves the hands-free driving with a speed of 70 miles per hour (mph).
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders claims hands-free driving has been cutting accidents in the road for quite some time.
The organization said that this tech can prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save almost 4,000 lives over the next decade.
U.K. has scheduled until October 27 for groups to give evidence on ALKS' effectivity in the road.
Will the U.S. follow hands-free
Though there's no assurance that the U.K. will implement hands-free driving, the United States may not seem to be interested in the first place.
After all, the country has Tesla, the biggest car company that introduced the hands-free driving tech. In 2016, Elon Musk'sTesla first made a public introduction of hands-free driving tech in the country.
It was told to be "almost twice as good as a person," when it comes to driving the vehicle.
"We're being especially cautious at this stage, so we're advising drivers to keep their hands on the wheel just in case," said Musk in 2016.
Hands-free driving has been famous in America, even causing Ford to offer the same tech in 2021.
Do you agree with implementing 'hands-free driving' in the U.S.?
ALSO READ: Thinking With Your Hands? Researchers Say It Can Help Solve Problems In A New Way
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Jamie Pancho
